Electric-winding clock.



No. 687,479. Patented Nov 26, mm.

w. H. HALL.

ELECTRIC WINDING CLOCK.

(Applicatibn filed Mar. 15, 1901.}

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. HALL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ELECTRlO-WlNDlNG CLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 687,479, dated November 26, 1901.

Application filed March 15 1901- Serial No. 51 ,273. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM H. HALL, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Winding Attachments for Clocks, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar numerals of reference in the different figures indicate like parts.

My invention relates to self-winding clocks; and the object thereof is to so construct an attachment and connect the same with the winding-arbor of a clock, a source of electricity, and an electric motor that the regular movement of the clock mechanism may serve to cause said device to be brought into action at predetermined intervals,whereby the clock may be regularly wound, all of which is hereinafter more particularly described, and definitely pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a front elevation of a portion of the face and mechanism of an ordinary clock, showing my improved attachment applied thereto. Fig. 2 is an enlarged front view in detail of my improved attachment as it would appear when in operative connection with the winding-arbor of a clock, the actuating-pitman being broken away and the front bar removed to show the mechanism behind it. Fig. 3 is a I plan view thereof in which said front bar is shown; and Fig. 4. is an enlarged vertical sectional View in detail, taken upon the line 44, Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, 1, Fig. 1, represents a clock face which is partly broken away to show the interior mechanism,of which 2 constitutes the usualsupporting-framework. Mounted in the usual way in the frame 2 is the winding-arbor 3, to which is attached a hub 4, having a square opening therein to fit the square portion of said arbor, upon which hub is formed a ratchet-wheel 5. Upon the hub 4 is mounted a ring or collar 6, which is rigidly attached to said hub by means of a set-screw 7, which enables said collar to be adjusted and secured upon the hub. Extend ing outwardly from the collar is a radial arm 8 for the purpose hereinafter stated. Loosely mounted upon the arbor 3 are parallel bars 9 10, forming ratchet lever-arms, for the purpose hereinafter stated, between which the ratchet wheel and hub are interposed, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. Between the opposite ends of the bars 9 10 are securedblocks 11 11, Fig. 3, between which is in turn placed an extension-bar 12, so secured as to form a rigid extension of the bars 9 10, the object of this construction being to balance the parts by 10- cating said extension in a plane midway between the two bars.

The outer end of the bar 12 is loosely connected by means of a screw or rivet 13 to a pitman 14, which is in turn also connected to the crank 15 of an electric motor 16 of any well-known construction.

A battery 17 is connected by means of a wire 18 to a metallic contact-plate 23, which is secured to a strip of insulating material rigidly attached to the bar 9. A wire 19 is connected with a second metallic contactstrip 24, also attached to said insulating-strip 25, said wire being carried to a.biuding-post or terminal 20 of the motor 16. A second .wire 21 serves to connect the opposite pole of said battery to the binding-post 22 of said motor.

A circuit making and breaking lever 26 is pivoted at 27 between the bars 9 10, the short arm 28 of said lever being in the path of movement of'the arm 8 and adapted to be actuated thereby. A hub 29 is formed upon the axis of said lever, to which is in turn rigidly attached a pawl 31, adapted when the lever is in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 toengage with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 5 in the manner hereinafter stated. A tube 32 of insulating material is mounted upon the arm 26, upon which is secured a metallic tube 33, adapted to engage and form a metallic connection between the contact-strips 23 24:. A stop serves to limit the downward movement of the arm 26. The opposite end of the arm 26 is bent, as shown at 36, and. pivotally connected to a light bent spring 34:, which is in turn pivotally attached to a stud 35 upon the plate 9.

The operation of my improved winding device is as follows: Assuming the clock to have been wound, after having run for a sufficient time to cause one revolution of the windingarbor in the direction indicated by the arrow ICO the arm 8 is brought into engagement with the short arm 28 of the lever 26, thus causing the part 33to be brought intocontact with the metallic strips 23 24:, thereby completing the electric circuit with the battery 17. Upon closing said circuit the armature of the motorl6 is rotated, thus causing the pitman 14 to reciprocate the-free end of the lever forward by the parts 9 10 12, and with each vibration the pawl 31 is actuated, thereby moving'the ratchet-Wheel 5 step by step until said wheel is rotated in an opposite direction from that above described' to such an extent that the arm 8 will he brought into contact with the arm 28 from beneath, when itacts to tilt the lever 26 into the position indicated in dottedlines in Fig. 2, thereby severing the metallic connection between the plates 23 24 and breaking the electric circuit between the motor and battery.

, If but one arm-8 is employed, the operation above describedwould be repeated with each revolution in a given direction of the windingarbor; but in case more than one such arm is employed then it is obvious that the electric contact would be made and broken oftener, the relative time being proportionate to the distancebetween said arms.

Having thus described my invention, I

circuit maker and breaker to make and break the electric circuit with said motor at regular intervals, substantially as described. 7

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with the winding arbor ofa clock, of a ratchet-wheel rigidly mounted thereon, a lever loosely fulcrumed upon said arbor, a pawl controlled by said lever, an electric mo tor having its armature connected with the 3. The combination with the winding-arbotfi of a clock, of a ratchet-wheel rigidly attached thereto, a lever having one end mounted upon said arbor, an electric motor having its armature in operative connection with the other end of said lever, a source of electricity, a pawl pivotally mounted upon a tilting arm pivoted to said lever, said pawl being in operative proximity to said ratchet-Wheel, an arm connected with said winding-arbor for alternately moving said tilting arm in opposite directions, and a circuit making and breaking device controlled by the movement of said tilting arm, substantially as described. In testimony whereof I have signed this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 12th day of March, 1901. WILLIAM H. HALL. NVitnesses: I

D. II. FLETCHER,

ROBERT CATHERWooD. 

